Tire-chain construction



' 1,618,606 Feb 22 1927' s. H. ROGERS TIRE CHAIN CONSTRUCTION F11-edAug. e, 1924 IN VEN TOR.

@y HM ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 22, 1927.,

hlihli) STE'WART H. RGERS, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TIRE-CHAIN CGNSTRUCTION.

Application filed August G, 1924. Serial No. ,736,406.

rlhis invention relates to tire chain construction. More particularly itcomprises improved means whereby a tire chain for anti-skid purposes maybe appliedto the tire of an automobile wheel with less effort than isrequired with the present types ot such devices and at the sametimefprovide a more efficient securing); means. llt also contemplatesthe combination with the improved tire fasteningdevice ot means forequalizing;l the tension upon the side chains ot the tire and serving tomore satisfactorily maintain the chains in operative relation with thewheel. To the accomplishmentot the tore- ;going and related endssaidinventionthen, consists of the means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the iollowingdescription set forth in detailcertain structures embodying the invention. such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which theprinciple ot the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawingz-- Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing anautomobile wheel having a side chain equipped With the improved form oi'fastening device; Fig. 2 is a similar view of an automobile wheelshowing an anti-skid chain equipped with the improved form ottasteningdevice and also with an equalizer; Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig, 2,showing; a mociiied form of equalizer; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail viewin perspective showing;` one of the running connectors yilorming` a partot the construction; Figi'. 5 is an enlarged detail view in perspectiveshowing the harnesshook type of snap hook emploved to connect the freeend of the running` chain with the side chain of the construction; and Gis a diagrammatic view showing?,r the improved form of chain ot the typeshown in Fig. 1 in extended position.

As clearly shown in the drawing7 the de-V vice comprises the usual pairof side chains 1 having` a series of cross chains 2 secured at theirends t'o opposite links ot said r-espective. side chains at spacedintervals nt adjacent extreinities of the side chains running connectors3 are secured. the said connectors providing tor the running` en-`sagement therewith ot' the extended ends iof the opposite extremitiesof said side `in the drawino'.

chains. At the ends of said extended ends, snap hooks 5, preferably ofthe harnesshook type, are provided.v As is clearlyY shown inFig. 1, theextended ends of the side chains are drawn across a segment oi' thewheel and have the snap hooks engage with links of the side chain at apoint fairly remote trom the position or the running connectors.

As clearly shown in-Fig, 4, the running connectors are preferably formedot sheet metal plates bent into t! shape and having' aligned aperturesin their tree ends through which a securing` bolt 6 is placed. The base7 ot the U-shaped plate is preferably of somewhat increased length andis concave on its under side. rlhe lower portion oi the U-shaped loopmay be ot somewhat enlarged diameter so as to provide tree runningengagement for the links ot the extension ends of the chain as theyslide back and forth through the convex trackway 8 thus provided. Thistrackway while permitting the free movement ot the chain to adjustedposition provides a certain degree ot trictional engagement whichprevents the too rapid shifting of the links and the consequent wearing`otq the parts,

While extension ends or" the type illustrated in Fig. 1 may be used uponeach ot the side chains, it has'. been found that by providing suchextension ends only upon the inner ot the side chains and supplying Vtheouter side chain with a pair of short lequalizing chains, that all otthe advantages obtained through the use otl independent equalizers maybe secured, while the necessary resistance to the centrifugal action ofthe wheel will be supplied by the non-resilient connection upon theinner side chain. rllwo terms ot equalizing devices are shown ln theform shown in Fig. 2, a second running connection 11 is secured to theend loop ofthe extension end l by means ot the bolt 12 and an equalizingchain 13 is secured in runningengagement with said connector. Adjacentthe ends of the equalizing chain a pair of coiled springs 14 aresecured. At the tree ends of the springs a pair ot short chains 15 areprovided, bearingthe usual harness-hooks 16 tor securing the same to theadjacent links ot the side chain. ln this form of construction therearward side chain is of the type described `to their outer ends.

in connection with Fig. l, the extension end 4 thereof providing :inon-resilient connection with one of the linlis ot the side chain at :tpoint fairly remote from the position ol the running connector.

In the forni of device Shown in Fic'. 3. n `yoke 21 is secured :it eninterniedinte pointy to the end ot the extension end it hy incensi: otan eye 22 and holt Q3. The ends olf the yoke nre preferably extended topoints eidjacent the lower halt et the wheel. to which the chain isapplied, und nre toi-mcd with hooks 24; which site adapted to eng'npjcchoit ehnin sections 25 having springe Q6 iittnchcd The :tree ends of`the springs are provided with short chain ex-` tensions 29 provided attheir.1 enter ende with the nsunl snep hooks 231.

The snep hooks employed in the conetrne tion are inefernhly oi theconventionnl lien' ness-hook type shown in llliej. 5, wherein the bodyof the hook 32 is ot hollow cyliinlificnl forni to receive n springpi'cseed latch 3i), the lower end oi*l which :ihnts nnninst the hook end3ft. The latch may lie i'etrnctcd by .means of n lnitton 35pii'ijecting.: through a slot 36. An eye 3T, :it the npper `end of thehook. proYides menne itor Fastening the suine to the extension end `oithe side clinin.

The length of the extension ende` is such that complete detachineiit ofthe canne troni the running connectors nnneceeenry inns innch ns theside chains nmy he extended sufficiently to pnss over the circumferenceof the tire when snch clnifine are opened to their' fullest extent. Thenthe chaine :ire applied to the wheel, the side chains may he drawn to nvery tight degree oi' ndjnetnient by reason of the 'inet that :i veryfnni hold may he secured npon the extension ends. Then the eqnnlizing'device is not need, iiy

certain degree of eqnnlizinef notion will he obtained by virtue of the:inetthfit the extension ends cross n consldernhle seg-nient of theWheel between the running connectors :ind their pointI ol nttncliment tothe eide chains.

Other :lfnnis may he employed einlgiodying the fentnrcs ot my nnicntioninstead ot the one here explained, change being' innde in [he 'torni orconstruction, provided the elements` suited hy :my ot the followingclziiins or the cipiiinlcnt ot such stated elements he ci i 1i il cnfcd.

l therelfoi'e particularly point ont and distinctly claim :is myinvention:

'1. A tire chain construction comprisingJ n peil' oi side chains. :iseries oil cross chains secured :it their ends to opposite points oi therespective eide chains it Spiiced intermls, c. pair ot running'connectors; secured to :nljnccnt :l'ree ends ol smid side chains,non-resilient extension ende on the opposite l'rcc ends ot seid sideclinine. cnch ol.I L icnpgh siiliicicnt to permit tre runningentrevoit-rent with seid connectore, :ind 'ineens for eecniinig` theEcce ends of seid extension clininc` to Seid side chnins :it pointsremote 'ii-oni seid running connectors. Suid nienns on one .eide ot'ssiid clinin construction entending troni n point adjacentthe hid) totwo spaced circnnifereutinl points.

A 'tire chain constinction comprisingl n pini' olfV side chaine. nseries of cross chains secured :it their ende to opposite pointev o1'the respective side clniins nl. spaced intervals, menne l'oi securingthe :inner side chain in ndjnetmcnt npon seid tire. n running connecto;secured to the iii-ee end ol. `said outer side cliaiin. n nonresilientextension end on thc opposa-ite tree end ot seid onl'er side chain, olfn length to nient with enid connector. `sind ineens or .securingi the:tree end ot seid extension chain 'to it. ndjncent side chain et pointsremote from eniid iroin n point adjacent the huh to two spacedcii'cinnlferentinl points.

Signed by ine. this 81st dey of July, 1921i..

STEVART H. ROGERS.

permit i'ree running' engngerlinninn' coiniector and extending`

